The Washington critic., 1887-05-17
WASHINGTON, MAY II, 1887.
JUSTICE WOODS, SUCCESSOR.


dead jurist and grows buster from day
to-day. 1t points in various directions.
Advices from Richmond are TO the
effect that the general feeling among
Democratic members of the Leglsla-
ture is favorable TO the appointment of
j. Randolph Tucker, with n strong
leaning towards Attorney General Gar
land
Mr.. Garland, who is 50 years of age,
was admitted to practice In 1865 and
early attained distinction IN his pro-
fession. He has been Governor of
Arkansas aud was a United States SEN
ator from lsi1, serving his second term
when designated fur the high Office of
Attorney General By President Cleve'
land. No one questions his legal cru
dition, and he was always regarded as
one Of the foremost constitutional law
yers in the Senate
Mr. Tucker Is undoubtedly Que of
tie ablcst lawyers In the country, and
as Member of Congress for twelve
years has a clear and honorable record.
He is now sixty three years of age. II
has been charged that he is not In full
sympathy with the modern Democratic
school, as TO the powers of Congress,
and leans rather to the side of the old
Virginia abstractionists but this Is au
undeserved and unwarranted criticism.
1t is true that Mr.. Tucker is strict
constructionist of the Constitution, but
not in the sense of antagonizing legitl-
mate and progressive exercise of its
functions by the legislative branch Of
the Government. Judging by some
phases of our later judicial experience.
it would be well perhaps to inoculatc
the bench with q little more wholesome
conservatism.
AS we go further South we find Ian
enthusiastic Endorsement of eX.Con.
gresham Hammond of Georgia, who
though but SO years of age, has been In
practice of the law for over thirty
three years, and is well equipped for
the highest judicial functions. As
Justice Woods was resident of
Georgia at the time of his promotion,
Mr.. Hammond's friends urge this fact
as enhancing the propriety of his ap-
pointment.
Down In Louisiana 1t Is urged that
some person familiar with the Napo.
leonic code should be selected, but we
see DO particular force In this claim;
certainly no more than there was iu the
claim that nobody ought to be ap.
pointed to the Supreme Court of the
District of Columbia who was not well
versed in the laws Of Maryland aud
Virginia aud our conglomerate local
code. Specific qualifications of this
kind are soon mastered by any well.in-
formed and capable lawyer. Still
Senator Gibson, who is spoken of for
the vacancy, is an excellent man and a
competent jurist. lie is 50 years of
age, and was educated to the bar.
Senator George of Mississippi, who
also has following In 'his behalf, is
very learned in the law, is the com.
pilcr of standard reports and digests
and has been Chief Justice of his State.
lie is G1 years of age,
Secretary Lamar, OF the same State,
is G2 years old, and was admitted to the
bar just forty years ago. lie was In
Congress before the war and some
years later filled law professorship at
the University of Mississippi. lie has
been great student all his life and is
man of eminently judicial mind, but
we question if he really desires or ex.
poets 10 be transferred from the Cab.
met TO seat on the bench of the Su.
preme Court.
Governor Hoadly Is man Of great
capacity, but Ohio and New York are
both represented on the bench. Fur
thermore, the Ex-Governor au,
nounces that lie neither seeks
nor would accept the position. Massa,
clusetts is also represented there, buI
it is not at all likely that Secretary
Endico,t aspires to the seat so lately
vacated by Justice Woods, as has beer
stated by some of his friends; though
he would hardly decline the honor
were the way open TO it. In such al
event the Massachusetts Democrats
would insist on General John N. Corse
the Boston postmaster, as Mr. Endl
colts successor in the War Depart
mept
Delaware has never furnished TIN
Supreme Court with a judge, and II 1
said that Secretary Bayarl would Tx,
to bear the distinction Of the first ap
pointmeut of the kind from that State
hut 1t Is much TO he doubted II tn
President intends to humor such a.
ambition on the par, Of any member o
his Cabinet.
Why tho President should conlar
himself TO the limits Of the Sutes CON
prising the Fifth circuit wc d, no
clearly understand llmust be prppe
uudes the circumstances io npp)'ot
representative Southern Democrat, bl
II fbe should happen 10 live in Arsaasl
or Virginia. and, all other things con
sidCred, is deemed suitable for ta
place, his selection wuud be quite a
satisfactory to the party and the poopl
us though lie resided within the circuit
THE organization of the Citizens
Committee of One Hundred, for th
District of Columbia, was completed a
Willard Hall last evening, to the entlrt
satisfaction of the nine association
represented, and In such a spirit o
harmony and good feeling as to lnsplr,
the most encouraging hopes for IL
future success. The members of tn,
committee are public spirited citizens